Firearm



Oct. l1, 1938. R. c. ROBERTSON 2,132,761

FIREARM' Filed MaICh 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l I *nventor Attorney -ct. l1, 1938. R. c. RQRTSON FIREARM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed March 28, 1935 m n w 1m Oct. 1l, 1938. R. c. ROBERTSON 2,132,761

.FIREARM l Filed March 2a, 1955 3 sheets-sheet :s

Inventor BYQ Attorney Patented Oct. 11, 1938 UNETE ST'S PATENT FFEQE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in the general art of firearms and more especially to firearms of the rifle type.

An important object of the invention is to provide a gun wherein cartridges are stored in a special magazine which will permit the ready use of a much greater quantity than can be retained in repeating rifles of present day constructions.

Another important object of the invention is l to provide an improved rifle that can be used as a repeater or for single shots, with the changeover capable of being made by a simple manipulation.

Still another important object of the inven- 15 tion is to provide a rifle employing but a single trigger which can be set for automatic ring, single or repeating fire.

Various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to 20 the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 represents a side elevational View of the gun without the stock.

Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view 25 through the intermediate portion of the gun.

Fig. 3 represents a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 represents a fragmentary Vertical sectional view through the breech portion of the 30 rifle showing a cartridge being forced toward the firing chamber.

Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the guide spring.

Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of the right 35 claw arm.

Fig. 7 represents a bottom plan view of the magazine.

Fig. 8 represents a perspective view of the forward holder for the magazine. 40 Fig. 9 represents a plan view of the cam employed with the magazine securing means.

Fig. 10 represents a side elevational view of the cam shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 represents a perspective view of the rocker bar cartridge guide.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the barrel of the rifle which o is threaded at its inner end into the forward `end 6 of the breech casing, the same being bored as `at 1 for the reception of the cartridge.

Numeral 8 represents the guide-way for the block 9. This block 9 is recessed to receive the 5,5 forward end of the recoil spring l0 which is concealed in the guide way 8, the same being convoluted around the guide rod Il.

The stock frame I2 has the breech casing secured thereto by the tapered pins i3 and the rear end of this frame carries suitable tangs I4 5 whereby the same can be secured to the usual wooden stock (not shown). This frame i2 includes a left and a right wall spaced apart between which mechanism is mounted which will be described hereinafter. 10

The block 9 is provided with the conventional firing pin l5, while disposed through the lower portion of the rear end of this block is a pin or bolt i6, equipped at one end with a head il and at its opposite end with a laterally extend- 15 ing handle i8 disposed through a slot in the wall of the guideway 8. A claw arm I9 is provided on the left side of the block 9, while a claw arm 2E! is provided on the right side of the block and each is provided with an opening at u its rear end through which the aforementioned pin or bolt i6 passes.

From the rear end of the arm 20 depends a protuberance 2l dening a shoulder. Springs 24 are provided on the end portions of the pin I 6 .25 to maintain the arms l9--2D against the block 9, and it is to be understood that the openings in the rear ends of the arms I9 and 28, are sufficiently large to permit a substantial outward movement of the forward forked ends of these 30 arms iti-2l). As is clearly shown in the drawings, the ends 25 converge inwardly toward each other, each being provided with reduced lugs 26-21, the same servingas claws so as to readily hook behind the head of a cartridge.

It can be observed that numeral 29 represents a pusher member carried by the block 9 which serves to push the cartridge forwardly after the cartridge has been placed in front of the block by one of the claws or hooks 28. The magazine for the gun is generally referred to by numeral 3@ and its rear end protrudes into the holder 3i at the rear end of the barrel 5. The bottom side of the holder 3l is provided with a small rod guide 33.

The magazine generally referred to by numeral 3B includes an elongated shell 35 of rectangular cross section, and this shell is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 3S on the bottom side thereof. The forward end of this magazine l50 35 is provided with an enlarged head construction 3l which permits easy grasping and on this head is a lug 38, the same being on the bottom side thereof.

It will be observed that numeral 39 represents gli a forward holder for the magazine 36, the same having a bottom portion 'l0 on which the detent lli is swingably mounted, the said detent having a cam projection i2 on its inner side which is capable of engaging with the lug 38 on the magazine head 3l to secure the magazine head to the holder 39 so that these cannot be displaced. Numeral @33 represents a loop or strap on the holder 39 for snugly surrounding the lower end portion of the barrel 5.

Operative in the magazine shell 35 is` the follower, which includes theV outside platelil connected to the internal cartridge-engaging mem ber 65 by pins or connectors An elongated conipressible coiled spring 's' is interposed in the shell 35 between the head 3l and the member 45 of the follower.

Obviously by moving the follower back in the shell 35 towards the head 3l, (if the tension becomes too great to permit hand insertion of the cartridges against the tension of the spring), the tension of the spring will be released suiiiciently to make the insertion or" the cartridges convenient and without difculty.

In further carrying out the construction of the magazine, it will be seen that the bottom side of the magazine 35 is extended to provide a lip fiil, while the top side of the shell is extended and bifurcated to provide the pair of downwardly curved spring fingers lg-@9 and the side walls of the magazine are extended to provide small extensions 5B, ,one for each side of the magazine and these are spaced from the lip i3 and fingers 39, as in the manner substantially shown in Fig. 7, and these serve to prevent lateral displacement of the cartridges.

It can now be understood that the cartridges are placed in the shell 35 in alternate fashion with their cap or firing ends in oppositely disposed positions. ln othei words, only alternate cartridges have their ring ends against the same side oi' the magazine shell.

An examination of Fig. 3 will now disclose the cartridge receiver which includes a plate 5l having a reduced neck portion 52 at its rear end in which are the longitudinally extendings slots- 53-53. The plate 5l at the point where it merges with the neck 52 has` a substantially V- shaped plate 5d secured thereto by a screw or like securing member 55, the same also serving as an abutment for the outer end of the lip it on the magazine, and which lip rests upon the plate 5l. The aforementioned ingers B9-i9 are as before stated, above the lip G3 but terminating inwardly thereof while a spring 56 secured to the aforementioned rear magazine holder 3l extends rearwardly for disposition over the cartridge-receiving plate 5l. This plate 5@ is of spring material and bifurcated from its rear end forwardly as at 5l.

The furcations 58, thus formed have inner edge portions cut away so as to provide a passageway between the free end portions of the same, in which a cartridge can be steadied and guided. The cut-away furcations terminate at their outer ends above the V-shaped plate 5d. Attention is directed at this time to the channeled anges 55% which extend along the longitudinal edge portions of the plate 5l and the neck 52 thereof, the anges extending forwardly of the plate 5i as at 59a, and serving as tracks for the claw heads 25 on the arms ES-Z, the claw heads 25 being cut away as at 25a to receive said flanges 59 in the manner apparent in Figure 6. Supported beneath the plate 5l is a rockable guide iil which is provided with a radially extending cavity 6l extending inwardly from its periphery, in the flanges 52--E2 which operate through the aforementioned slots 53-53 in the neck -portion 52 of the plate 5l (see Fig. 3). Pivotally connected to the rockable guide t@ is a rod 33 which eX- tends downwardly and operates through an opening in the brace bar Sli (see Fig. 4). A spring t5 is interposed between the brace bar Sii and the guide ,E56 so as to retain the guide always offcenter so that its operation is solely dependent upon the actuation of the block 9.

Located above the spring plate .56 and pivotally connected at its upper end to the forward end 6 of the block 9 is the swingable guide 65, the same being clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. This swingable guide is in the form of an incline having side flanges tl between which a cartridge can be guided while in movement toward the chamber l, the bottom of thisy guide being provided with a cleat 68.

Numeral 69 represents the hammer which is bifurcated to provide depending leg members 'iii-dii. The hammer 69 is swingably supported on the pin i3, the pin extending through the opening in the legs il.

Pivotally secured to the hammer E9 at the point ifi between the leg members 'iii-'il is the angularly shaped member l5 from the outer portion 'iii of which extends the elongated guide rod Tl which passes through a guide l@ on the inner side of the stock frame l2.

A coiled compressible spring 'i9 is convoluted on this rod ll and interposed between the portions 'l of the member 'i5 and the said guide i8.

Numeral ii@ represents the trigger guard depending from the frame l2. Numeral 8l represents the trigger plate from which the trigger member 82 depends, this trigger plate being provided with an upstanding portion 83 and being rockably mounted on the pin 84.

Through a bore in the rear portion of the guard extends the spring-pressed plunger 85, bearing against the trigger 82 to aord the necessary spring action therefor.

Pivotally connected as at 86 at its rear end to the upstanding portion 83 of the trigger plate Si is the trigger bar 3l which is provided with a small U-shaped yoke 88 on the free end of one of its legs, denoted by numeral 89 while its other leg Si? is curved upwardly as at 9i to terminate within the said yoke. This trigger bai` 8l has suitable guide means and terminates at its free end within the path of the shoulder 2| on the sliding hook 20.

Projecting forwardly from the trigger plate 8l is the neck portion 92 provided with a pair of diverging ngers SI5-gi between which the pin g5 on the rear end of the release bar 96 is disposed. The intermediate portion of this release bar S6 is enlarged as at El and provided with an elongated slot es therein in which engages the stud QS projecting through the pawl Ill@ which has a hook-head mi thereon. A lug m2 on the enlarged intermediate portion Si of the bar 96 is engageable with the projection 33 on the pawl l, while the hook-head lill on the pawl IDEE is engageable with the lug it@ on the leg l of the hammer 8, as shown in Figure 2.

The release bar 9@ is curved upwardly as at ii'a at its forward en-d and provided with a notch i in its upper end.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, an adjustment is provided for the trigger 82, whereby the same can be set for single firing or automatic firing, or locked against firing at all.

The means generally referred to by numeral |4 is employed for converting the gun from an automatic to a semi-automatic, and a single shot rifle, and will not form part of the present disclosure.

The magazine locking mechanism includes a connecting rod |43 which is connected at its forward end pivotally to the cam detent 4|. This rod |43 is disposed through the guide opening |45 on the bottom of the intermediate guide or magazine holder Ill and through the guideway |48 on the holder 3|, backwardly of which the rod |43 is constructed for threaded disposition through the ears |48 on the intermediate portion Ysof.. the Ueshaped .pusher |49,.which is provided with rearwardly extending fingers |50 for engagement with the claw heads 25 of the arms |9-20.

A coiled spring |5| is adapted for interposition between the collar |52 on the rod |43 and a forward part of the holder 3|. Manifestly, when the cam 4| is rotated, the rod |43 will be forced rearwardly against the tension of the spring |5| and when this cam 4| passes its center point, the spring |5| will hold the rod in projected position with the finger |50 forcing the claw heads 25 `outwardly and rearwardly and partly holding the block 8 in retracted position. This obviously prevents firing of the rifle during the act of removing or replacing the magazine. The outward movement of the claw heads 25 prevent engagem/ent of the same with the cartridge head and allows the magazine to be removed while containing cartridges.

The function of feeding the cartridges from the magazine to the firing chamber proceeds as follows. Assuming that a cartridge has been fired and the block is moving backwardly. The particular claw 28 engaging a cartridge head in the magazine pulls the cartridge by its head and in so moving the cartridge will actually pivot or wheel the same and cause it to ride under its adjacent spring finger 58, while the other spring finger is retaining the bullet end of the cartridge.

As the claw heads ride along the tracks 59, one without engaging the cartridge and the other engaged with the cartridge head, the cartridge will be wheeled around until it rides into the space between the free end portions of the fingers 58-58, When the cartridge reaches this position, both claw members 21 engage the cartridge head on oposite side portions thereof and as the block continues to move rearwardly, the same Will lift up the lower end of the swingable incline or guide 66, and the head of the cartridge will engage into the notch 6| of the rotary guide 60 and between the flanges 62 thereof. In this movement, the cartridge clears the swingable guide 66 and when the block begins to move forwardly, the pusher 29 on the block will force the cartridge forwardly between the flanges 62 on the rockable guide 60 and up the incline 66 to stop in the firing chamber I of the barrel 5. When the block reaches this point and is actuallyin closed position, the mechanism is ready for thering of the cartridge.

It can be seen that numeral 9 represents the movable detector arm having a fulcrum at 5', and this bar is provided with a boss a. This boss projects upwardly into a slot in the underside of the breech block 8 and is clearly shown. The empty shell is gripped by the two extractors b-c and as the breech block moves rearwardly the head of the shell strikes the ejector board a. and is knocked outwardly through the slot in the right side of the breech shell.

Referring to Figure 2, there can be seen the cartridges in the chamber and the lock mecha- I nism in position to fire the same. The trigger bar 8l is connected to the trigger plate 8| by its pin 86 resting upon the boss |03 of the pawl |00, with the shoulder 80 against the boss |03 and is held firmly in this position through the spring tension of the two legs 89-8I of the bar 81, as the end of the leg 89 is held down at 88 through contact with the shoulder 2| on the bar 20, safety bar |01 is moved so that trigger enters notch |08.

When the trigger`82 is pulled rearward safety bar |07 moves so that trigger enters notch |408 and bar 81 movesforward, the shoulder 80 forc---fY ing the pawl |00 forward and disengaging the part |0| from the boss |04 on the hammer 89. Furthermore, when the yoke 88 has passed forwardly of the shoulder 2|, the spring tension of spring 81 is released, thereupon the shoulder 90 slips past the boss |03 and the pawl |00 is returned to its original position by a suitable spring. The hammer 69 being released from the pawl |00 springs upward and strikes firing pin I5 driving it forward and firing the cartridge in the chamber. The pressure from the powder explosion forces the breech block 9 rearward against the tension of spring I0. The block 8 forces the hammer 69 back to its original position where it is again held by the pawl |00. The block 9 moves rearward until stopped by striking the rear of the breech shell and is then forced forward to its original position by the spring l0. When trigger 82 is released, the bar 81 moves rearward and the yoke 88 is forced down by 2| and shoulder 80 engages against the boss |03, thus completing the cycle. Each pull of trigger results in firing one shot.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specic terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In Combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a width to receive ammunition disposed transversely therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breech end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and wheeling the same into firing position in the breech, said breech end of the magazine being provided with ammunition retaining spring fingers, said means for removing the ammunition including a claw operative between the fingers of the magazine to engage the ammunition, and a bifurcated spring member at the breech end of the magazine for alining the ammunition before it is finally forced into firing position.

2. In combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a width to receive ammunition disposed transverselyF therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breech end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and Wheeling the same into firing position in the breech, the breech end ofthe magazine being provided with an arcuate cut out portion along thel edge portion on which a piece of ammunition can ride and Wheel as it is extracted from the magazine.

3. 1n combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a width to receive ammunition disposed transversely therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breech end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and wheeling the same into ring position in the breech, the breech end of the magazine being provided With anwarcuate cut out portion along the edge portion of which a piece of ammunition can ride and Wheel as it is extracted from the magazine, said end of the magazine being longitudinally slit and of spring material.

4. In combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a width to receive ammunition disposed transversely therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breach end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and Wheeling the same into firing position in the breech, and a swingable guide at the breech adapted to assume an inclined position to catch a piece of ammunition when it has been wheeled into position by the last mentioned means.

5. In combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a Width to receive ammunition disposed trans- Versely therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breech end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and wheeling the same into iiring position in the breech, a swingable guide at the breech adapted to assume an inclined position to catch a piece of ammunition when it has been Wheeled into position by the last mentioned means, said guide being provided With a spring for normally holding the same in an inclined position.

6. In combination, a gun including a barrel, a breech and a bolt in the breech; an elongated magazine attached to the barrel and extending longitudinally thereof, said magazine being of a f width to receive ammunition disposed transversely therein, means for forcing the ammunition in the magazine to the breech end thereof, means at the breech for removing the ammunition singly from the magazine and Wheeling the same into ring position in the breech, a swingable guide at the breech adapted to assume an inclined position to catch a piece of ammunition when it has been Wheeled into position by the last mentioned means, and a rockable member in the breech responsive to the action of the bolt for elevating the ammunition to a position so that the nose thereof can rise on the guide when the bolt is moved to locked position.

ROY CLIFTON ROBERTSON. 

